Baby movement vs. contractions

Stella2008 · May 2009

This may seem like a really stupid question, but do you ever feel like you get mixed up between what a contraction is and the baby's movements?

I feel like what I am having are BH contractions (tightness, etc.), but am now wondering if it is just baby being active and pushing up against certain areas.

MidwestTexan · May 2009

There is no mistaking baby movements with contractions...they are way different.

Mrs_mam · May 2009

I was actually thinking this today too. I'm pretty sure it was just the baby stretching, he's really running out of space in there, but it sure felt different.

The way I tell is while it's happening, I feel the belly for any soft spots. If it's BH, the whole area should be tight, if it's your baby you should be able to find some soft areas where he/she is not pushing.

trinise · May 2009

not stupid at all i have the same problem

peachypear · May 2009

Either I'm not having BH or I can't tell the difference between baby movements (well, I should say "pushing") and BH.

rockchalkbride · May 2009

Possibly....I thought that the pain I was feeling in my vag and above was baby pressing into my cervix, but I just came from the Dr and this happened while I was in there and she said it was in fact a contraction. It was confusing cause right after I'd feel this pain then baby WOULD move after the contraction subsided.

Mrs.Carlybella · May 2009

i felt that way- i am 99% sure it is baby, but it is a weird sensation like my skin is twisting in one spot and it is really tight. However because it is always in such a small concentrated area and if i touch it i can feel a little butt, i am sure it is baby

one_more_girl · May 2009

If you can feel soft spots anywhere on your uterus it's just baby moving

With a contraction your entire uterus gets rock hard.

chingpei · May 2009

at first, i was wondering the same as you - here's a good trick...when it's just the baby stretching and pushing, your uterus will only feel hard where you feel the pushing; it'll be soft and "mushy" elsewhere. if it's a BH contraction, then your entire uterus will feel tight and you won't be able to push it at all....although, my doctor also told me last week that sometimes your contractions will be small and localized, so it's still possible that the tight pushing you feel is indeed a small contraction...

i haven't had any pain with my BH contractions, so i totally get what you're experiencing!